Shop with a Cop brings smiles to children in Idaho Falls and Ammon

IDAHO FALLS — The community was greeted with the wail of police sirens early Saturday morning.

But there was no emergency in Idaho Falls.

The dozens of police cruisers and SUVs that traveled from the Elks Lodge, on Elva Street in Idaho Falls, to Target, on Hitt Road in Ammon, were part of the annual law enforcement parade for Shop with a Cop.

Inside each of those vehicles, was a deserving child who had just eaten a warm breakfast with an officer, trooper or deputy and was now on their way to see Santa and go shopping for their families.

Bonneville County Sheriff Sgt. Bryan Lovell told EastIdahoNews.com that 31 kids were involved this year, and each of them had been exposed to traumatic or abusive situations where law enforcement may have had to get involved.

“We have a lot of fun and make a lot of noise, but this also builds relationships between our officers and these kids,” Lovell said. “Hopefully, whatever negative experience these kids have had (with law enforcement), we can turn it into a positive today.”

The sheriff’s office receives community support and donations to make the program happen every December. Each child receives a couple hundred dollars to buy gifts for their family. The program is now in its 31st year.

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EastIdahoNews.com spoke to a number of the officers and children while they were shopping for their families. Many of the officers say it is a highlight of their year, and the kids were all smiles.

One of 11-year-old Olivia Collin’s favorite movies is “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” so she got to blast the music in the patrol car on the way to Target.

“The best part was getting to play with the sirens and stuff in the car,” she said.

In a somewhat rarer instance, Olivia’s mother Jessica Jensen, also got to participate in the experience.

“I think its absolutely amazing,” Jensen said. “It’s a good way for kids to see that cops aren’t just this scary thing that’s going to pull you over. They care and are real people, and can have fun with you and provide a safe space.”

Probation and Parole Officer Brynn Henricksen participated in the Shop with a Cop program for the first time on Saturday. She said her experience with 10-year-old Lilian was incredible.

“I love it. I can’t even begin to explain how full this made my cup this year,” she said. “Just seeing the joy, seeing them have fun, smile, laugh and experience a good time makes me really happy.”

Anyone wishing to donate to Shop with a Cop can contact Lovell at blovell@bonnevillecountysheriff.gov.

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